The Army is working to refresh its NV holdings. Scope creep appears to have been suppressed sufficiently to let it move forward.
About 6 years ago I tried to steer a Solicitation from DND to buy more SIMRAD's to getting something that wasn't 30 years out of date.
There was zero interest in buying something new -
When John Marshall was absorbed to the SF side, I think they pretty much gutted the Regular Army of anyone with much of a schmick about Night Operations.
WP is pretty widespread now (even amongst the white side of SOCOM): Australian Army runs PVS-31As complete for all combat arm units and their direct support (to include their reserves); the French, the Germans and the UK are phasing in WP dual tube systems for combat arms (Elbit based for the latter two); there are already quite a few provincial and federal entities in Canada that use L3 or Elbit WP systems.
CAF side, last time I checked the benchmark which we are evaluating all dual tube systems against is the PVS-31A and it strongly leaned toward WP. Hell, we even are jumping on fused systems whether that comes in the form of a COTI or something akin to a PSQ-36 (because from what I've heard, the ENVG-B is hot garbage compared to the 36) is anyone's guess.
ENVG was an utter train wreck - a perfect example of a program lead with no experience on the ground actually using NV.
DESCRIPTION: The AN/PSQ-20 Enhanced Night Vision Goggle (ENVG) provides dismounted Brigade Combat Team warfighters the capability to observe and maneuver in all weather conditions, through obscurants, during limited visibility and under all lighting conditions while enabling rapid detection and...
asc.army.mil
Imaging attaching a Brick to a PVS-14 MNVG and a Skeetir-L and adding some duck tape to keep it all together.
ENVG-B started out as a Army version of the PVS-31, it is morphing into an attempt to take the PVS-31, Fuse it with Thermal - like the PSQ-36. and add networked capabilities - all of which are capabilities to be fielded in IVAS.
L3Harris has received an $100m order from the US Army for the delivery of its Enhanced Night Vision Goggle – Binocular (ENVG-B) system.
www.army-technology.com
Realistically the currently fielded version of ENVG-B is a PSQ-36 in tan - with a data in, not just digital output port
L3 Harris makes all three (PVS-31, PSQ-36, and ENVG-B), as well as the GPNVG, and fused offerings of the GPNVG (I've looked through one - but not sure what they are calling that).
The big shake your head moment is realization that we're still rocking PAQ-4s and PEQ-2s whilst everyone else is moving onto the latest generation of LADs (some of which even act as laser range finders) and most of our infantry pers don't even know the capability you gain with a IR illuminator co-aligned with your IR designator.
To say we are generations behind in night fighting equipment and experience would be an understatement.
The non CANSOF side of the CF is in very bad shape - the lack of a real forend for mounting MFAL's is a significant hinderance - the TRIAD "pitchfork" is an example of an idiot with no understanding making a decision simply based on up front cost - without looking at performance - or the issues that the TRAID cause to the life of the attached devices.
Admittedly the PEQ-2 isn't terribly obsolete - other than the lack of a vis laser - and the vast amount of troops down here don't understand the uses of that either - I went up to Ft Drum when 10th Mountain still ran RIMAC (two week shooting school) - during the "CQB week" I got to teach a class on vis laser employment as a buddy of mine was the NCOIC - back then they mostly had M16A4's and ACOG's - and it was virtually impossible to get a sight picture easily - especially if trying to use cover - so a 40 min class on short range shooting with laser was a bit of an eye opener for them - that was with the PEQ-15's - which outside the SOCOM LA-5 version was a let down as far as Mw power compared to the -2, and for night use the -2 was IMHO actually preferable (admittedly the slaved boards for the laser adjustment is also much nicer on the -15 - as your IR Ill, LP, and VIS are slaved - so you can confirm zero much easier).
The PAC-4C was absolute before the CF bought them - I'm legitimately wondering what imbecile thought that was a good option.
Low power - and no illuminator - yuck.
If I was going to revamp the Army NV program - I'd see if I could borrow guys from the Hill - because both indoor and outdoor experiences under NOD's are significantly different - and illuminator work can be remarkably useful or hurtful depending on the skill of the user.
One of the biggest issues I have seen for the CF, is quite often the Canadian Distributor of items has about as much of a clue as most staff and contracting officers - and suggests items that brief well, but absolutely are criminally stupid for field usage.
www.photonis.com
www.cadexdefence.com
